· Golden Memories Safaris
Most visitors to Tanzania stay perfectly healthy. The risks are real but manageable, and almost all of them can be reduced with a little planning: a visit to a travel clinic several weeks before you leave, sensible habits on the trip and the right insurance. This guide explains the main health questions travellers ask about Tanzania, which vaccines are commonly recommended, how malaria works and how to prevent it, when a yellow fever certificate is needed and how to deal with insects, food, water and sun.
This is general travel information, not medical advice. Health recommendations change, and what is right for you depends on your age, medical history and itinerary. See a doctor or a travel clinic four to eight weeks before you travel, and check the current guidance from the health authority in your country.
In this guide
- Which vaccines are recommended for Tanzania?
- Malaria: the biggest health risk and how to prevent it
- Yellow fever: when you need a certificate
- Other insect-borne illnesses: dengue, tsetse flies and ticks
- Food, water and stomach upsets
- Sun, heat and altitude
- Water, swimming and rabies
- Medical care in Tanzania and evacuation
- Travel insurance
- Special cases: children, pregnancy, older travellers and long-term conditions
- A pre-travel checklist and a simple medical kit
- Frequently asked questions
Which vaccines are recommended for Tanzania?
Health agencies such as the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the UK's National Travel Health Network and Centre publish country pages for Tanzania, and they are the best place to look for current advice. In general, they recommend the following, though your doctor will tailor it to you.
Routine vaccines
Make sure that your usual vaccines are up to date, including measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, polio, chickenpox, the yearly flu shot and COVID-19 vaccination according to your country's guidance. Many routine vaccines need doses spread across weeks or months, so it helps to start early.
Commonly recommended travel vaccines
- Hepatitis A: spread through contaminated food and water, and recommended for most travellers to Tanzania.
- Typhoid: also spread through food and water, and recommended for most travellers, especially if you eat outside the main hotels or stay longer.
- Hepatitis B: considered for longer stays, for those who might need medical care or who may have close contact with local people.
- Rabies: considered for long stays, for travellers who will be far from medical care or who work with animals, and for children, who may touch animals. Rabies is present in dogs and wildlife in Tanzania.
- Cholera: outbreaks occur from time to time. A vaccine is available and may be advised in some situations, so ask your clinic.
- Yellow fever: only needed in specific cases. See the section below.
Your travel clinic may also discuss tetanus boosters for adventure travellers, and polio boosters. They will ask where you are going, how long you will stay and what you will do, so tell them about Kilimanjaro, camping or Zanzibar if they apply.
Malaria: the biggest health risk and how to prevent it
Malaria is a serious illness caused by a parasite spread through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Tanzania has malaria in most areas below about 1,800 metres, all year, with higher transmission in and after the rains. That covers the Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the southern parks and most of the coast. There is a risk on Zanzibar, though it is lower than on the mainland. The risk is lower at high altitude, such as on the upper slopes of Kilimanjaro and on the Ngorongoro Crater rim, but you will pass through low-risk and higher-risk areas on most trips.
Malaria is largely preventable. Health agencies describe four steps, often summarised as awareness, bite prevention, chemoprophylaxis and diagnosis.
1. Awareness
Know that malaria is a risk, that symptoms can start as early as one week after a bite, and that they may appear up to a year after you return, though most appear within a month. Early symptoms resemble flu, so always mention your travel if you are ill after coming home.
2. Avoid mosquito bites
- Mosquitoes that carry malaria bite mostly from dusk to dawn, so cover up at that time with long sleeves and long trousers in light colours.
- Use an insect repellent on exposed skin. Health agencies commonly recommend products containing DEET, picaridin or similar approved ingredients, applied as directed and reapplied after sweating or swimming.
- Treat clothing, or buy pre-treated clothing, with permethrin, and sleep under a net or in a room with screens or air conditioning.
- Choose accommodation with good screens, nets and fans. Most safari lodges and camps provide nets and spray the tent before bedtime.
- Use a plug-in or spiral mosquito coil as an extra layer, and close tent flaps in the evening.
3. Chemoprevention (malaria tablets)
Most doctors advise anti-malarial tablets for travellers to Tanzania, because the risk is significant. There are several options, and the right one depends on your health, other medicines, pregnancy, age and where you are going. Commonly prescribed drugs include atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline and mefloquine. They differ in how long before and after the trip you take them, in side effects, and in who can take them. Ask your doctor about each, start on time, and do not stop early. Do not buy tablets from unregulated sources, and be wary of counterfeit medicine.
4. Diagnosis and treatment
If you develop a fever, headache, chills or flu-like symptoms during your trip or in the months after, get a malaria test straight away, and tell the doctor where you have been. Rapid tests and treatment are widely available in Tanzania. Early treatment works well, and delay can be dangerous.
Yellow fever: when do you need a certificate?
Yellow fever is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes in parts of Africa and South America. The key point for Tanzania is the entry rule. According to health agencies, Tanzania is not generally listed as a country where yellow fever transmission is a risk for travellers, but the country requires proof of vaccination, an International Certificate of Vaccination, from travellers who arrive from or transit through countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission. That includes some of Tanzania's neighbours, such as Kenya and Uganda, and others in Africa and South America.
- If you fly in directly from Europe, North America, Australia or similar places, and do not stop in a risk country, you do not normally need the certificate.
- If you travel to Tanzania from, or after staying in, a risk country, you may be asked for the certificate at the border or airport. Long layovers in a risk country can count.
- If you combine Kenya or Uganda with Tanzania, check the rules and carry your certificate.
- The same entry rules apply to Zanzibar, and in practice visitors to Zanzibar from the mainland are not asked again, but check before you go.
Since 2016 the World Health Organization has treated a single dose of the vaccine as giving lifelong protection, and the certificate is valid for life. Because rules change and officials vary, ask your airline, the embassy or our team for the current requirement before you travel. You can read the official entry rules in our visa guide.
Read: Tanzania visa and entry requirements
Other insect-borne illnesses: dengue, tsetse flies and ticks
Dengue and other mosquito-borne viruses
Dengue and some other viruses are spread by Aedes mosquitoes that bite during the day. Outbreaks have occurred in Tanzania, including on the coast and Zanzibar. There is no routine travel vaccine for most visitors, so prevention is by repellent, light clothing and avoiding bites during the day too. Seek medical help for a high fever, severe headache and joint pain.
Tsetse flies
Tsetse flies live in woodland areas of some parks, including parts of the Serengeti and the southern parks. Their bites are painful, like a bee sting, and they are attracted to dark colours, especially dark blue and black, and to moving vehicles. Wear neutral colours such as khaki, beige and olive, keep windows closed in tsetse areas if the guide advises it, and use repellent. Sleeping sickness is rare in tourists, but a bite followed by a fever, a skin sore or unusual symptoms should be reported to a doctor.
Ticks and other bites
Ticks in bush areas can cause tick-bite fever. Wear long trousers tucked into socks on walks, use repellent on clothing, and check your skin after walking in long grass. Remove any tick promptly and see a doctor if a rash or fever follows.
Food, water and stomach upsets
Travellers' diarrhoea is the most common illness on any trip to the tropics, and it is mostly preventable.
- Drink bottled, boiled or filtered water, and use it to brush your teeth. Lodges and camps provide safe drinking water.
- Avoid ice if you are not sure of the source.
- Eat food that is cooked and served hot. Be careful with salads, unpeeled fruit and raw seafood in small local places.
- Wash your hands with soap or use sanitiser before eating.
- Carry oral rehydration salts. If you have diarrhoea, drink plenty of fluids and rest. Seek medical help if it lasts more than a couple of days, if you have a high fever, blood in the stool or signs of dehydration.
Most safari camps and lodges have careful food hygiene, and cases of illness are low. Take extra care if you are eating at street stalls and markets.
Sun, heat and altitude
Tanzania sits just south of the equator, and the sun is strong all year. Use a high-factor sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of water. In an open safari vehicle you can burn without noticing the wind. Dehydration and heat exhaustion are common on long days, so carry water and rest in shade.
Altitude can also affect you. Arusha is around 1,400 metres, Ngorongoro Crater rim is over 2,200 metres, and Kilimanjaro rises to 5,895 metres. Mild altitude symptoms can appear at the crater rim for some people, and Kilimanjaro needs careful planning. See our guide to altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro.
Read: Altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro
Fresh water, swimming and rabies
- Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is a parasitic infection found in fresh water in many parts of Africa, including some lakes and slow rivers. Avoid swimming or paddling in lakes, ponds and streams unless a local guide confirms they are safe. Swimming pools and the sea are fine.
- Do not swim in places with crocodiles or hippos, which are common in rivers and lakes.
- Rabies is spread by the bite or scratch of an infected animal, and is present in dogs and wildlife. Avoid touching dogs, monkeys and other animals. If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound for fifteen minutes with soap and water and seek medical care at once, even if you have been vaccinated.
- Sea urchins and coral on Zanzibar can injure your feet. Wear reef shoes.
Medical care in Tanzania and evacuation
Good private clinics and hospitals exist in Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, and your safari company can recommend and contact them. Care in rural areas and inside parks is limited, and serious problems may need transport to a city. This is why evacuation cover is not optional. Some travellers also join an emergency air ambulance scheme for East Africa, such as the one run by the AMREF Flying Doctors, in addition to their insurance. Ask your company what the emergency plan is for your route, and make sure guides carry a first aid kit and a phone.
Mobile coverage is good in towns and patchy in the parks, and satellite phones or radios are used in remote camps. Carry a card with your insurance details, your blood group and allergies, and the emergency numbers of your insurer and your safari company.
Do you need travel insurance?
Yes. For Tanzania we advise policies that include the following.
- Emergency medical care and hospital costs, with a high limit.
- Medical evacuation and repatriation, including from remote locations, by air if needed.
- Trip cancellation and interruption, which protects the money you have paid.
- Cover for the activities you plan, such as safari, balloon flights, diving, and, for Kilimanjaro, trekking to 6,000 metres.
- Baggage and personal belongings, and travel delay.
Read the policy for exclusions, especially for pre-existing conditions and altitude. Keep a copy of the policy number, the emergency phone number and the claims procedure with you.
Special cases: children, pregnancy, older travellers and chronic conditions
- Children: some malaria tablets are different for children and have weight-based doses, and rabies and hepatitis A vaccines may be more important. Talk to a paediatric travel clinic. Our family safari guide covers what to consider.
- Pregnancy: malaria is more dangerous in pregnancy, and some tablets and vaccines are not suitable. Many doctors advise against travelling to malaria areas during pregnancy. Speak to your doctor early.
- Older travellers: ask about heart, blood pressure and mobility, and plan a gentler pace. Our guide to safaris for older travellers has ideas.
- Chronic conditions: bring enough medicine for the whole trip plus extra, in original packaging, with a doctor's letter, and keep it in hand luggage. Ask about storing medicines that need cooling.
- Immune conditions or recent surgery: see your doctor well in advance and discuss which vaccines are safe.
Health by trip type: safari, Kilimanjaro and the beach
On safari
The main concerns are malaria, sun, dehydration, dust and bites. Wear neutral colours, carry water, use repellent and keep to your guide's advice around wildlife. Dust on game drives can irritate eyes and lungs, so contact lens wearers may want glasses as a spare, and anyone with asthma should carry their inhaler. Roads can be rough and bumpy, which matters for people with back or neck problems.
On Kilimanjaro
Altitude is the main risk, followed by cold, sun and stomach upsets. Talk to your doctor about altitude medicine, carry a basic first aid kit, and make sure your insurance covers trekking to 6,000 metres. Avoid shortcuts on hygiene, because a stomach bug at 4,000 metres is miserable. Your crew boils and filters water, and your cook should follow strict food hygiene.
On Zanzibar and the coast
Expect heat, humidity, sun, reef hazards and the same mosquito risks as the mainland. Use reef shoes, drink plenty of water, wear reef-safe sunscreen and apply repellent in the evening. Dengue is a risk on the coast, so day-time mosquito protection matters too. Choose busy, clean restaurants, and be careful with raw seafood and street food if you have a sensitive stomach.
Women's health, sexual health and everyday safety
- Bring enough sanitary products, since supplies may be limited in remote areas, and a way to carry used items out of the park or off the mountain.
- If you take a contraceptive pill, ask your doctor about time zones and the effect of any illness or diarrhoea.
- HIV and other sexually transmitted infections are present in Tanzania, as in many countries. Practise safe sex, and carry condoms from home, since quality and availability vary.
- Road accidents are a real health risk in Tanzania. Choose a company with well-maintained vehicles and experienced drivers, wear seat belts where available and avoid night driving.
- Be careful with local alcohol and unlabelled drinks, and never accept drinks from strangers.
Common health myths
- Myth: malaria tablets are only for people who go on long trips. Fact: the risk applies to short trips too, and one infected bite is enough.
- Myth: a high altitude camp has no mosquitoes. Fact: some high places are low-risk, but you will pass through low areas and need protection there.
- Myth: you can get a yellow fever vaccine at the airport on arrival. Fact: you must be vaccinated at least ten days before travel, so plan in advance.
- Myth: local alcohol or spicy food kills germs. Fact: it does not, and can irritate your stomach.
- Myth: if you have had malaria before, you are immune. Fact: partial immunity fades quickly, and you can be infected again.
- Myth: bottled water is always safe. Fact: check the seal is intact. Reputable brands are widely available.
A pre-travel checklist and a simple medical kit
Before you go
- Eight weeks before: book a travel clinic appointment, and check your routine vaccines.
- Six weeks before: start any vaccines that need several doses, and discuss malaria tablets.
- Four weeks before: buy travel insurance and check what it covers.
- Two weeks before: buy repellent, sunscreen, rehydration salts and a first aid kit.
- One week before: check entry rules, your passport and, if needed, the yellow fever certificate.
A simple medical kit
- Any prescription medicines, in original packaging, plus a copy of the prescription.
- Insect repellent, bite relief cream and an antihistamine.
- Oral rehydration salts and an anti-diarrhoeal medicine, if your doctor agrees.
- Simple painkillers, plasters, blister dressings and antiseptic.
- Sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses and a hat.
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes.
- A thermometer and a small first aid guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need malaria tablets for a Tanzania safari?
Most doctors advise them, because malaria is present in most safari areas. Ask a travel clinic which option suits you.
Is there malaria in the Ngorongoro Crater and Arusha?
The risk is lower at high altitude, such as the crater rim, but you will pass through lower-lying areas on any safari. Plan for malaria prevention for the whole trip.
Is there malaria in Zanzibar?
Yes, there is some risk, lower than on the mainland. Use bite prevention and ask your doctor about tablets.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Tanzania?
Only if you arrive from, or have transited through, a country with a risk of yellow fever, such as Kenya or Uganda. Check before you travel.
Is the water safe to drink in Tanzania?
Drink bottled, boiled or filtered water. Safari camps and lodges provide safe drinking water.
What if I get sick on safari?
Tell your guide at once. They will contact the camp or the company, and arrange care or evacuation if needed. Keep your insurer's number handy.
Keep planning your Tanzania trip
These guides cover the next questions most travellers ask.
Tanzania visa and entry requirements
Is Tanzania safe for tourists?
Sources and further reading
Facts and figures in this guide come from the sources below. Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so confirm current details before you book.
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travelers Health, Tanzania destination page, wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.
- World Health Organization, International Travel and Health: yellow fever and malaria, who.int.
- UK National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), TravelHealthPro Tanzania country page, travelhealthpro.org.uk.
- Tanzania Immigration Department, eVisa guidelines, visa.immigration.go.tz.
- AMREF Flying Doctors, emergency air ambulance services for East Africa, flydoc.org.
CDC Travelers Health: Tanzania
Last reviewed 7 October 2026. Health guidance and entry rules change, so check the latest advice from your health authority and a travel clinic before you go. This guide is not medical advice.